TRUCKLOAD CARRIERS ASSOCIATION

Operational efficiency, industry awareness, public policy, recruitment and retention - common issues for an uncommon industry. The challenges faced by truckload demand solutions developed from a unique perspective...yours. TCA makes that happen.

Highway Angel

Since its inception in August 1997, TCA’s Highway Angel program has recognized hundreds of professional truck drivers for the unusual kindness, courtesy, and courage they have shown others while on the job. Their good deeds range from simple acts of kindness, such as fixing a flat tire, to heroic life-saving efforts, such as pulling someone from a burning vehicle and administering CPR.

Genuinely selfless in their actions, the Highway Angels are typically nominated by their employers, fellow professional truck drivers, or the motorists they’ve assisted out on the road. Once nominated, TCA investigates and verifies the details involved before recognizing the driver as a Highway Angel.

Because you share the road with professional truck drivers, you are in the best position to assist us in identifying those who are truly Highway Angels. If you know of, witness, or experience an exceptional act of kindness or courtesy by a professional truck driver, please take the time to fill out and submit the Highway Angel nomination form.

The TCA Highway Angel program is generously supported by EpicVue, the leading provider of premium in-cab satellite TV services packaged exclusively for the trucking industry. As a start-up company, EpicVue is anxious to demonstrate its commitment to the trucking industry, and to help improve the image of professional truck drivers, perfectly matching the company to the goals of the Highway Angel program.

In addition to being recognized by those who benefited from their actions, the professional truck drivers honored as Highway Angels will receive a lapel pin, patch, decal and personalized certificate of appreciation. Their employers also receive a certificate of recognition for display at their terminal or office.

Because the Highway Angel program is focused on improving the public's image of truck driving as a profession, the trucking industry’s top fleets use the program as part of their recruitment and retention initiatives to increase morale among their driving force.

TCA helps promote greater public recognition of all Highway Angels through the placement of their stories in industry trade press and on social media. Search or follow the hashtag #HighwayAngel on social media channels to read the drivers’ stories. Press releases are also distributed to local media outlets near the incident, and through the national wire services when lifesaving actions are involved.

EpicAngel - Highway Angel of the Year Award

At TCA’s Convention each year, EpicVue and TCA co-present the “EpicAngel” Highway Angel of the Year Award to the professional truck driver who best embodied the spirit of the program during the prior year. In addition to recognition and a trophy, each year’s EpicAngel honoree will receive a complimentary EpicVue in-cab entertainment package.

At TCA’s 2015 Annual Convention, the inaugural EpicAngel award recipient, David Ragland of Cotopaxi, Colorado, a professional truck driver with Kelle’s Transport Service of West Valley City, Utah, was recognized. Ragland played a key role in saving two children’s lives after the car they were in swerved off the road, crumpled in half, turned upside down, and caught on fire. For the complete story about what Ragland did on that fateful day, click here.

As the “2014 EpicAngel,” Ragland, a veteran of the U.S. Army, will be presented with a trophy saluting his willingness to stop and help that day. He will also receive a complimentary EpicVue satellite TV package.

Highway Angel Truck Stop Tour

Lindsay Lawler represented TCA's Highway Angel program at select TravelCenters of America/Petro Stopping Centers truck stops across America through September 2014. The unique tour is the first effort of its kind to help restore the perception of professional truck drivers as “Knights of the Highway".